Future Nexus updates will be released by carriers

Nexus owners used to have reasons to be proud because they are expected to receive Android updates first. The point of getting a Nexus is to be the first in line for such updates from Google— or at least that’s what we thought. And looks like that will all change as updates for Nexus tablets will now depend on the mobile carriers.

This is the usual problem with Android. Even if a software update is already announced by Google, there is no guarantee you’d get it on your device right away because it’s either you have to wait for the phone manufacturer or the network carrier to officially release it. Supported Nexus devices usually would get important updates within two weeks but it will now be “based on your carrier” according to Google.

Bad news for Nexus owners? Yeah. Two weeks of waiting is too much for others. Sure, anyone can get the update without having to wait for the official, over-the-air variety but only if you know how to install the software update yourself and you know where to get it.

One of the notable models affected by this change is the new Google Nexus 6. On the other hand, this change will strengthen Google’s relationship with carriers who don’t usually follow the Internet giants update guidelines. Let’s see if this change will be good for everyone.

VIA: Slashgear

Story Timeline

• T-Mobile hypes virtually pristine version of the Nexus 6


• Nexus 6 has hidden 3 color LED light but not for notifications


• Nexus 6 iFixit verdict: easy to teardown, lots of screws

Get Your Moto360 Watch Faces in Order with Face View

With its circular and minimalistic design, the Moto360 is undoubtedly one of the more attractive Android Wear smartwatches on the market right now. As such, there’s bound to be a plethora of custom watch faces to match the tastes of any Moto360 owner. Over time however, if you find yourself with a collection of watch faces that has accumulated into an unorganized stockpile, Face Viewer may be just the program you need.

Developed by XDA Senior Member Max_Pain, Face Viewer is a program which serves to preview, organize, sort and filter all your watch faces in one place. Of the long list of functionalities it has, some of them include:

• Sort in alphabetical order


• View the watch face


• Search for watch faces with names of the faces and their creators


• Filter by Facer and WatchMaker watch faces


• Filter by analogue, digital or mixed faces


• Export watch faces


• Open the watch faces’ folders allowing you to edit them

Face Viewer is compatible with Windows PCs running .NET Framework 4.0 or newer, and has been tested on Windows 8.1 Pro. Max_Pain also has made it clear that Face Viewer does not and will not create or modify the watch faces directly or convert WatchMaker to Facer and vice versa through the program.

If this sounds like something you’ll like to try out, head over to the Face Viewer program thread for more information.

The post Get Your Moto360 Watch Faces in Order with Face View appeared first on xda-developers.

SwiftKey helped enhance Stephen Hawking’s communication system

Virtual keyboard SwiftKey revealed recently that they have actually been involved in enhancing the communication system of arguably one of the best scientists of our times, Stephen Hawking. Suffering from motor neurone disease, the theoretical physicist, cosmologist, author and lecturer communicates through the use of a small sensor, and it is in this system that SwiftKey has helped make things easier.

The sensor is activated by a muscle in his cheek, and he uses it to type out words and numbers on his keyboard. What SwiftKey has done is to integrate their technology in his communication system and build a personal "language model" to help predict his words so that it would be faster for him to finish his lectures or books.

To be able to do this, the SwiftKey team scanned and studied all of Professor Hawking's books, lectures, documents, even those that have not been released for public consumption, in order to understand how he thinks and writes and so they can tailor the predictions and auto corrections of the system. They said that while he is a pretty accurate speller, unlike a lot of us who are still sloppy keyboard users most of the time, they wanted to give him a better system in order to let him speak and write easier and faster.

SwiftKey believes that it is working on special projects like this that will help them bring a better product to the consumer. They also feel privileged to have used their technology to "enhance communication in its broadest sense." Hey, after all, being able to help one of the greatest minds of our times is no mean feat.

SOURCE: SwiftKey

Android 5.0.1 code pushed to AOSP, coming to Nexus soon

When it comes to Android Lollipop rollouts, majority of Nexus devices should have already had the dessert by now, though there might still be a few nooks and crannies where the latest version has yet to arrive. That said, there might already be a new update soon, coming to Nexus devices first of course. The Android Open Source Project has just seen a push to its code repository for build number LXR22C, which is set to become android-5.0.1-r1.

The full changelog isn't out yet, but considering it is a maintenance release, we can expect just a few minor changes. It should also be noted, however, that what goes into AOSP isn't always the final form of what gets released as OTA updates, though in the case of very minor updates, they usually come close. No word yet on when this update is expected to land, but it could very well before the year ends.

In the meantime, Android 5.0 itself is still making its way to OEM devices. After an initial rush of deployment, things have more or less slowed down. Those still waiting for the sugary sweets include Samsung, Sony, and HTC. The latter seems to be experiencing some problems in their HTC Advantage promise, as even the updates for the Google Play Edition of the HTC One M7 and M8 have been delayed again and again.

SOURCE: Google

VIA: Droid Life

Story Timeline

• 2nd-gen Moto X gets a taste of Android Lollipop, benchmarked


• LG rolling out Android Lollipop for G3 in South Korea


• NVIDIA SHIELD Tablet LTE Lollipop upgrade lands on devices


• LG G Pad 8.3 Google Play Edition gets Lollipop update

Twisty Hollow’s weird characters need your help in new Android game

What do you get when you bring together eccentric characters, simple but weird tasks, an evil mayor and a mobile device? Well, you get another productivity killer with this new Android game called Twisty Hollow. You are needed to help these "unbelievable" townsfolk as you fulfill their unusual and demanding needs.

Their self-appointed mayor has been demanding weirder and weirder things from his constituents, like banning bacon (how dare he!) or giving out fashion tips for ghosts. So what you need to do is help the townsfolk, who themselves are also out of this world, in getting their resources right and living day-to-day in the weird town of Twisty Hollow. All you need is twist and match what they need to make sweaters, houses and even food, all to sustain their livelihood.

There are 50 levels in this game, all with varying levels of wackiness and weirdness. Both humans and animals (and even ghosts) are a bit impatient here so you need to give them what they want and need as fast as you can. There are all sorts of eccentric characters that pop up in each level, so deal with them as wisely (and as fast) as you could.

This game is a universal app so as long as you play signed in to Google Play Game Services, you'll be able to continue where you left off on your smartphone or tablet, and unlock achievements as well. Twisty Hollow is available for download on the Google Play Store for $2.99.

Dragonfly transforms into an Android tablet, Slingshot phone, and dual display ultrabook

The smartphone era won’t be over just yet and phones are expected to be smarter than ever. They may share the market with wearables now but smartphones are expected to transform into something else. Take for example this project currently on Indiegogo, the Dragonfly Futurefön.

The Dragonfly Futurefön is a smartphone that can transform into a mini laptop. The design team of this innovative mobile device wants to reach global mobile domination with their product. Dragonly is a folding mobile device that works as a smartphone, tablet, and a dual-display ultrabook. We’ve seen similar gadgets already but this looks more handy and more convenient to use since it runs Windows and Android.

Dragonfly Futurefön is made of high-quality aluminum uni-body body so you know it’s tough. It features a special illuminated keyboard, slide-out touchpad, and dual monitors. What’s good about this 3-in-1 device is that it can use one data plan. No need to get three separate ones.

The right display is called the Slingshot. This part detaches to work as an Android phone or tablet. It’s a phablet that works with a Smartpen and docks to the Dragonfly. When the Slingshot part is detached, the base can still work via WiFi or Ethernet.

Another reason why this is a winner is the Quad Folding design. It’s very mobile and portable when folded but is still a space saver even when unfolded. There are three sub-systems that are charged by one cord but LED lights indicate the individual sub-system.

As described by the Dragonfly designers, the components work synergistically and symbiotically. While you stream media files to a TV or bigger screen, the Slingshot phone can work as a remote control. Of course, the device also makes social computing easier. You can simply share files by giving your friend the other half of the display. It’s that easy.

Crowdfunding campaign started on Indiegogo last October 20 and it will end on December 19. Goal was only $10,000 but more than $500,000 dollars have already been given as donation. You can still give any amount you want but $400 will already bring you a long way. View all perks and options over at Indiegogo.

SOURCE: Indiegogo

Run Sackboy Run is weird but fun endless runner game

Endless runner games have taken on many incarnations the past years. You have the early incarnations through arcade games like Donkey Gong to side scrollers like Super Mario to the current generation of Temple Runs and the like to movie companion runners like Brave, Iron Man 3, Guardians of the Galaxy, etc. But have you ever played an endless runner with a boy made from knitted sack?

Meet Sackboy from the award-winning LittleBigPlanet Playstation game. The object of the game is to run as fast as you can to escape from the Goo and the Negativitron. If you're familiar with the PS game on which it is based on, then these words will not be of another language to you. Characters and places from LittleBigPlanet make their appearances in this game as well.

As you let Sackboy run through his handcrafted world, you can change and customize his costume and collect stickers along the way to unlock prizes. You can also have several power-ups and upgrades to help him get more points. If you're feeling competitive, you can challenge your friends and check out the leaderboards, as long as you sign it through your Facebook account.

You can download Run Sackboy Run! for free from the Google Play Store. But there are a few in-app purchases like Save Me Hearts (to get more lives) and power-ups. Now if you don't want to "accidentally" buy stuff or if someone else will use your phone to play Sackboy, better deactivate the one-click buy setting.